It’s hard to imagine that in this world of mass sneaker consumption and daily sneaker coverage which he partially helped build, Michael Jordan and his Jordan Brand can occasionally fly under the radar.

Always a major player in the retro market (they created it for god’s sake), the brand went through some ups and downs in the 2010s as newer, more exciting names began to dominate the sneaker conversation, particularly amongst the younger generation. Jordan Brand responded with arguably its greatest year of the decade in 2019.

First and foremost, it capitalized on some of its most iconic retro models, which helped solidify sales throughout the year. In 2019 we saw retro versions of the can’t-miss “Bred” Jordan IVs, Jordan VIs and Jordan XIs, which dropped just in time for the holidays. Second, it introduced the Jordan 34, a technologically advanced hoops model which is currently being worn by many of the game’s young superstars in a wild assortment of customized colorways.

Finally, Jordan Brand arguably played the collaboration game better than everyone. Jordan I and VI collaborations with rapper Travis Scott were some of the most hyped releases of the year, and helped catapult Scott into one of the biggest sneaker celebrities in the game at the moment. Exclusive drops with Marcus Jordan’s Trophy Room imprint made a lot of noise. Then the brand used the Air Jordan I Mid, an oft-forgotten member of its catalog, and collaborated with a slew of up-and-coming artists and designers like Blue the Great, Facetasm and Melody Ehsani for its exciting line of “Fearless Ones” products.

All of this innovation and sound decision-making helped the brand achieve its first billion-dollar sales quarter. In 2019 Jordan Brand focused on (the right) classics, highlighted innovation, and placed an emphasis on women, both in terms of the women’s sneakers it produced (Satin Jordan Is, for example) and by bringing in talented women to collaborate on some of the year’s most exciting kicks, like Aleali May. It’s appropriate then that we begin this week with Jordan Brand, the brand who ended 2019 with a bang, and we’ll start with some rarely seen retros.

Never forget: No online retailer has the same breadth and depth of selection as Grailed. From Phil Knight-inspired Dunks to international Air Maxes (and everything in between), in no particular order, these are our picks for the Rarest Sneakers on Grailed This Week.

Jordan IV Retro “Classic Green”

Year: 2004Listing Price: $600Size: 11.5

Back in 2004, Jordan Brand released this super clean Jordan IV in a predominantly white colorway with green accents, dubbed the “Classic Green.” It’s one of those truly rare retro sneakers in the Jordan Brand catalog. It’s not an OG colorway and it released a good 15 years after the original IV dropped. It also has never retro’d in the 15 years since its original release. It’s one of the rarest Jordan IVs around, with its green eyelets and Jumpman logo on the tongue, and chrome logo on the heel. There were rumors in the fall of a similar green and white Jordan IV hitting stores in Spring 2020, but it remains to be seen if the “Classic Green” will finally get the retro release it deserves.

Air Jordan II Low “Real Pink”

Year: 2005Listing Price: $120Size: 13 (W)

Sticking with the rare retro theme, we turn now to the underrated Jordan II Low, this time in a “Real Pink” colorway designed for women. Back in 2005, these weren’t the most sought-after sneakers in the world. Jordan IIs, in general, have been hit or miss throughout the years for Jordan Brand, and these “Real Pink” IIs didn’t move the needle much. However, despite their availability, you simply never see these sneakers on the secondary market. Despite their age, these remain in excellent shape (there is some natural yellowing around the midsole). The colorway is clean and if given the chance at another retro, these could certainly do more damage the second time around.

Jordan V “Bin23”

Year: 2011Listing Price: $486Size: 12

In an effort to craft more unique and luxurious takes on flagship Air Jordan models, Jordan Brand created the “Bin23” program to fulfill that need. The “Bin23” Jordan V from 2011 featured in this listing takes the OG “Black/Metallic” pair we all know and love and amps it up with a premium black leather upper. The infamous “23” on the side is in a tonal black, as is the mesh window. What really stands out stylistically is the “Bin23” wax seal logo on the back heel, a trademark of this sophisticated collection. Where the “Bin23” Jordan XIII (which was previously featured in this column) drew inspiration from MJ’s love of cigars, this Jordan V is simply a no frills, lush take on a classic.

Jordan III “Quai 54”

Year: 2018Listing Price: $250Size: 9.5

Every year during Jordan Brand’s big “Quai 54” streetball tournament in Paris, the company releases a custom Jordan sneaker to commemorate the occasion. In 2018, they went with the Jordan III featured in this listing. Decked in a black suede upper, this III features a series of pink, blue and lime green splashes on the eyelets and midsole. A bright teal, pink and green sole rounds out the neon accents, while the “Quai54” logo sits on the tongue and heel tab of one shoe, opposite the Jumpman logo. It’s certainly a departure from some of the more traditional Jordan III colorways in the canon, but nonetheless, it’s a rare find from Paris’ ultimate streetball tournament.

Nike Dunk High “Unlucky”

Year: 2004Listing Price: $485Size: 8

In science, we know that for every action, there’s an equal and positive reaction. For sneaker releases, we know the good luck always has to balance out the bad luck (or so we hope), hence the two Dunk Highs released in 2004 dubbed “Lucky” and “Unlucky,” the latter of which can be found in this listing. The “Unlucky” is exactly how you might have imagined it: dark, dominated by black and red and featuring the unlucky number 13 above the midsole. The black upper is made of suede and leather with yellow stitching around the paneling. It’s the polar opposite of the “Lucky’s” gold upper and green number seven. A true yin and yang.

Nike SB Dunk Low Pro “Buck”

Year: 2003Listing Price: $254Size: 11

All hail the OG himself, Nike co-founder Phil Knight. The man, the myth and the legend of Beaverton is the inspiration for these green and yellow SB Dunks from 2003. The colorway is inspired, of course, by Knight’s alma mater, the University of Oregon. Clad in a relatively simple yellow, green, white and black colorway, the most noticeable touch is the word “Buck” stitched on the heel tab. Buck was a nickname that was bestowed upon the inimitable Knight as a child and stuck with him all the way through his time as a Duck.

Nike SB Dunk Low “Goofy Boy”

Year: 2009Listing Price: $261Size: 7

Inspired by Big Brother ads from the 1990s, these Dunks pay homage to skaters of that particular era and how they used to dress, most notably with distressed denim and baggy T-shirts. These “Goofy Boy” Dunks from 2009 feature a graphic on the insole and are clad in purple denim and orange leather panels. There was also an accompanying Dunk High that would release that same month, which featured red suede, green denim and a black Swoosh, with the Goofy Boy logo on the insole.

Levi’s x Nike Air Force 1 High “Nike By You Exclusive Denim”

Year: 2019Listing Price: $800Size: 11

American heritage denim brand Levi’s has collaborated with Nike quite a few times on everything from Air Force 1s to Air Jordans. This most recent collaboration from 2019 is a customized Air Force 1 High, a part of Nike’s “Nike By You” initiative, which encourages customization, sometimes through exciting collaborations like the Cactus Plant Flea Market Air Force 1 or the Levi’s Air Force 1 High featured here. This sneaker has a pink denim upper, twill Swoosh and Levi’s branding printed all over. The black sole matches the Swoosh and laces, while minimal co-branding can be found on the back heel. Definitely a departure from some of the duo’s more traditional collaborations in the past, but a sought after pair nonetheless.

Nike Air Max 1 “The 6”

Year: 2015Listing Price: $2,250Size: 12

While this white and black Air Max 1 may pay homage to Toronto (also known as the “The 6”) with its stylistic choices, it is also properly equipped for those treacherous Toronto winters. Thanks to Tech Tough coated leather, a woven upper and a rubber coating along the white midsole, these may just be the most weather-ready Air Max 1s ever constructed. There are also a lot of cool little Toronto touches throughout the sneaker, including a Maple Leaf on the tongue, “The 6” graphic on the inside tongue tag, an “N” stitched on the heel and the CN Tower—Toronto’s famous landmark—printed on the sock liner.

Nike Air Max 97/BW “Skepta”

Year: 2018Listing Price: $270Size: 10

By the time well-known British MC Skepta was on his second sneaker collaboration with Nike, he wanted to try a design that had never been attempted. In 2018 he combined an Air Max 97 midsole (and its glorious full-length Air unit) with a Nike BW upper. The sneaker, which is featured in this listing, is constructed of an almost completely mesh upper with leather details throughout. There are also mismatched Swooshes, with one shoe featuring a red Swoosh and Air unit, while the other features a blue Swoosh and Air unit. The simple red, white and blue colorway is meant to signify Skepta’s love of another European city, Paris.